Record-controlled musical instrument



Patented Feb.. 255, 1928.

STATES? 1 .4 l,660,54ti

PATENT -DFFC Elli, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESHE.ASSIGNMENTS, TO

RECORD-GONTROLLED MUSICAL. INSTRUMENT.

Applcatonled December 3, 1923. Serial N. 678,219.

rhe volume otone emitted `from record controlled musical instruments or" pneumatic nature depends upon The tension ot the air existing; Within the Wind chestl at the moment the tone is semided.

One ot the important purposes ot this invention is to provide a record controlled' erator. articularly, it is an important purpose ot' the invention to provide a record controlled -sical instrument vvith means whereby crash eilrct followed immediately by a pianissimo volume ot tone, for example, may be proi'luced under control ot' the operator.

rThe invention iinds its most beneficial apion in that type otI record controlled musical instrumentspianos, especially.q vsheren the necessary. wind 'tensions Within i are produced by means which are ated tvith varying force, as by pedals,

ample have, therefore, illustrated a preferred i ot" the invention when applied to a pe 1 u operated player mechanism: for pianos, and While shall conline the following` de." ription to this particular torni and plication of the invention, l wouldhave it .i 'stood that the invention embodies features which i not restricted toits application to a piano, or to the employment of pedal operated pumping` means, and, gent chrrf'es in details may be made, all vvitl'ious departing trom the spirit of the invention as delined by certain ot the appended claim' gaim l have in the illustred cmhodnent of the invention shovvn the parts so correlated that they operate upon the suction principle, this being at pr ltent. customary pneumatical mosphere ii inospherie pi remav lbe employed, even in piano pla-echanisms, and scustoml 'tor certain instruments, exa iple,) and those skilled in i ma f readily adapt the present mechanism to the pressure principle Without departing from its spirit or the scope of appended claims.

ln that type of pneumatically operated player mechanisms wherein the tension ot the air is controlled by pedal operated means, the means heretofore provided for varyingjthe air tension under control ol` the pedals have not: been such as to enable'the operator to so control the air tensions at all times-from his operation oil the pedals that the volume ot' tone or tones emitted will be that called for by a proper' rendition trom' a musicians standpoint oit'tlie composition being played. in other'xvords, instruments of tliis'class heretofore manufactured have not been sulliciently responsive to the operations of" the pedals to enable tile operator iully andinstantaneously to command 'from the pedals'the volume ol tone ot every note or chord. He lias been enabled in a general Way tostrengthen or reduce the air tension Wit-hin the system by pumping faster or slower, but (referring now especially to pianos) reliance for an approximately correct expression has been placed mainly on the proper operation ot loud7T and soft buttons for the treble andbass, respectively, the operation ot'- Which buttons by varying the size of the openings through which the Wind passes. atiect to that extent and' in that Way, the volume ottone emitted inthe entire treble portion Vor the entire bass portion of the instrument Such means, however, have been totally inadequate toa really musical renditionsof thecomposition being played,.the result being highly unsatisfactory and. indeedv displeasing to the trained musical ear inall'cases in which the beauty of thel composition depends inl any Wise upon the tonal strengths which may be summed` up in the Word enpression.,

Afurther purpose ot' my invention, theretore, is to-provide a footr` operated mechanism for record. controlledmusical instruments, in which the volume ottone to be given any particular note or. notes is so controlled that the intended and true musical expression may be derived Jtronithe operation ot the pedals, merely by depressingithe pedals partially or2 fully, or slow on iast', in accordance with the volume ott'v tone to be produced` at that moment.,

In other words, this particular purposeof Y the present invention is Vto provide means operative under control of the foot pedal Vor,

Y pedals of the player mechanism to so reguy late the expression that a musical renditionl will be possible, the mechanism including for this purpose means so correlated with the pedals and with the wind passage of the Vplayer mechanism that crash effects, crescendos, decrescendos, and any volume ot' tone from and including pianissimo and Vfortissimo, may be produced at any time Vby l corresponding' operation of the Fig. 1 is adiagrammatici view, with parts in section, showing a pedal operated piano playing mechanism embodyingniy improve-` ments and VFig. 2 is a perspective view showing theV pedals, the pumping bellows, the reservoir bellows, and the wind passage betweenl the pumping bellows and reservoirjbellows, the

wind passage and reservoir V,bellows being in section to disclose part-s withinthem.

The tracker bar A, thevalve box B, theV striker pneumatics C, andthe piano action D may be of usual and well known construction, and their illustrated correlation isa typical one when the player mechanism is mounted within the casing of an'upright piano `and is arranged t'o operate upon the pianovactiomdirectly: the drawing showing a duct- 10 which extends from the tracker j aperture 11 toa chamber 12 injthevalve box; va separate duct 13 which extends from a chamberle in said valve box to the interior of the corresponding striker pneumatic C; a valve 151 in: said chamber 14,

connected to an operating pneumatic 16 and controlling ports 17 and 18, through one of which 17 'the chamber-14 and, hence, the interior o the striker pneumatic, has coinmunication Ywith the atmospherel and through the other of which (18) said chamber 14 and interior of said pneumatic has communication with a wind passageV 19 in the valve box B. Y It will be understood-that in practice there is aseparate tracker aperture 11, duct 10, chamber 12, pneumatic 16, valve v15, chamber 14, duct 13 and striker pneumatic for each note within the range of the player mechanism, and that the wind passage 19 is common to all the notes, although it may, if desired, be dividedinto separate sections for the bass ^and treble, respectively.

The drawings also shows pedalsE and F Y which, similarly, vmay be of the usual,`or

any suitable, construction commonly employed in foot operated pumping ymechanisms for producing the necessary exhaust tensionV within theV wind passage 19 and other parts of the player mechanism. TheY pump maybe of any construct-ion suitable for the purpose: the one illustrated beingY oa well known styley composed of two belf Y -lows G and -H,' having their movable meinbers 20tand 21,'respectively, connected by arms 22 and 28 with the treejends of the pedals E and whichpedals in operation turn pivotally about an axis, at 211, and are provided with springs 25 and 26 which are placed under tension by the depression oi'' the respective pedals'and operate to return the pedals to their outer or Vraised positions.

rllhe interior of the pumping pneumatics GV and H have' communication'with the wind passage 19,'through ports 27,'a windVv passage 28 and a Vduct 29. 28 is formed in a member-28 to one side of which the'v pumping pneumatics G and H are attached. The ports 27 are closed byl ilap valves which openV inward-into theV respective pneumatics and H. These pneumatics also have outwardly open flap The wind passage valves 81 for' the escape ot the air therel from. Y p Y .Y It will beunderstood that in the operation of the mechanism the admission of air at atmcsplieric pressure to any one'oit the chambers 12 hy the registration oia peri'oration in anote sheet (not shown) with theY corresponding tracker aperture 11, will cause' the membrane 16 adgacentsaid cham-V passage 19.` ylhe movable member 32 of the striker pneumatic, here shown, has an arm 33 which operates upon a member 311 of the piano action B, so that whenjthe Vstriker pneumatic is collapsed the corresponding note is struck. lWhen the perforation ot the note sheetVV which o'pened'the aperture 11 has passed by said aperture and the latter has thereby been closed, the tension of the air in the corresponding chamber 12 -is again rareiied, through the bleed hole 19', whereupon the yvalve 15 will return to its former position in which it closes the suction port 18 and opens the atmospheric port 17. Air at atmospheric pressure will now be admitted to theV interior of the striker pneumatic@ and the latter will thereupon quickly be returned to its expanded condition by the flushing action of the atmospheric air and the spring 85.

A reservoir oit a suitable nature, as the bellows l having a spring for expanding it,-has communication with the wind passage 28 through a plurality of separately isc Lecomte controlled ports, marked 36 and 37, respectively.'V A valvefS- isrso: correlated with theport. 36 that the air will iiow'through` said? port between the windY passage 28' and the reservoir in one direction only. A hap valve is preferred for this purpose. The

port 37H is controlled byl a valve which is` 39 of a pneumatic 40. This pneumatic 40' is provided with a lightspring 42, for expanding it and with an opening'or port 43. The valve 38 and the pneumatic l0 are shown as mounted within the reservoir I, this being the proper location thereof" when the parts are arranged to be operated on the suction principle. The capacity. of the Wind passage-28 is much less than that ofthe reservoir I, for a. purpose which will be presently set forth.

The Jfunction off the valve 3S is-to maintain in the windpassages which are in open communication with the interiors of the striker pneumatics, awvind tension which isnever lessA than that in the reservoir I, and it assuresthat there shall be no weakening otindividual tones below that desired, even when al number ot striker pneumatics are operated simultaneously. Slight changes in the-wind-tensions within said passages, such as would be consequent upon the collapse ofl'a singlek striker pneumatic, (or perhaps two or may be three pneumatics at once, in certain instances,) may be taken carel ot' by the valve which controlstheport 37. The principal, it not the exclusive, function of the latter valve,- however, is'fto restrict the passage through saidV port whenever the tension is substantially greater inY the wind chest thanin the reservoir.v

In otherwordsreferring now particularlygto the illustrated embodiment of the inventionz- The valve 3S1is so arranged that' it closes the port 36 when the exhaust tension-in the passage 28 is greater than that in the-reservoir, and willopen said port instantaneously upon a reduction ofl the'exhaust tension in the passage 28- below that in the-reservoir andagain close saidE port as soon as the exhaust tension in saidpassage has been again raised. Itovercomes the effect Which would otherwise result trom-the weakening ot the exhaust tension and consequent rise'inpressure in the exhaust system between andl including the wind passage 28-and the striker pneumatics, due to the operation ot the latter. It will be understood that suehweakening of', the exhaust tension is in proportion to the numberA of striker pneumatics operated at the Sametime and isa natural consequence of leakagewithinthe system. In

short, thisv valve maintains thestrengt-h ot tone predetermined by. the pumping operan tion, even. though a large number of striker pneumatics be operatedl simultaneously.

The valvular means which operates with relation to the port 37, (the valvular member or which is hereshown asprovided by a telt pad al hxed to the movable member 39' of the pneumatic 40) isA so correlated with said portandiw-ith the wind passage 28 and reservoir` IA that the tendency is forthe pneumatic 40 to collapse and restrict the flow of air through the port; 37 whenever there isa substantial increase of the strength of the exhaust tension in the wind, passage 28 above that in the reservoir I, without,

however, completely cutting oit the flow. of

air through said. port at any time. rIhe springf2'ot said pneumatic is placed under tension by the collapsing movement ot. the

pneumatic and becomes operative tol expandthe pneumatic 40 as soon as the strength otthe exhaust tension in the windpassagc 28 is reduced to the point where the pressure in said passage plus the springt-an overcome the pressure in the reservoir. It, therefore, becomes possible with thismeans to produce aV rapid increase in the strength of the exhaustv tension in the wind passage 28*to produce a crash effect, for. example-and then instantly to ventsaid'passage toy an extent at which. a pianissimo strength ot tone is produced, for example, merely-in. this embodiment of the invention-by forcibly depressing both pedals at the same time and then releasing pressure thereon.y Thetorcible depression ot both. pedals rapidly increases the strength of the exhaust; tension inthe wind passage 2S and collapses the pneumatic 40, the collapsing of said pneumatic contributingv to rapidity ot the increase ot said exhaust tension by substantially cutting downthe flow of air. between' the reservoir `I and said windpassage. Notes whichare now struck produce a crash ehect; Immediately following the production oi' the-crash eiifect, there is a. rapid weakening ot the exhaust tension in the wind channel, due in part toleakage and substantially contributed to by. the tact that at this time the pedals are returning to theirr raised. positions and are consequently not` pumping.

Due to these conditions and to the fact that the capacity otl the wind channel is small' compared to the capacityv ot the reservoir, the air from the reservoir passing the valve through ther port 3T immediately lessens the tension in the wind channel by raising the` pressure therein. This permits the spring Li2 to expand the pneumatic Li() with a result that the wind channel is flushed and the pressurel equalizedibetween the reservoirI and wind channel. This ilushing of the wind channel has novsubstantial effect onthe pressure withinthe reservoir due to lll() the relativelysmall size of the :Wind channel..

Y This reduction of the tension inthe Wind channel andrestoration of the equalization of pressurebetvveen the reservoir and Wind channel, takes place in such short period of time that, as alreadysuggested, a crash eiiect may be obtained and the same -ollowed' immediately by a pianissimo lor any other rgradation oitV tone, the volume of this tone depending upon Whether or not the pedals are immediately operated again and.

that provision be made for'variably defining the extent of suchclosure. YTo this end, yl 'have provided an adjustable stop 44 arranged inthe path of closing movement ot the valve member 4l, and preferably pro vided' With a covering ot sott material, 45, as leather, for example, lto contact with the valve member lll. V lfhensaid valve member 41 is also or" softmaterial, and to a lesserextent when .either but not both the valve and the stop have their surfaces for contactrwith each other formed of soit material, theV noiseV Which Awould otherwise be produced by impact of the valve 'With .the stop is deadened, and, moreover, there might be leakage between them even `When the pneumatic e() is collapsed, but vthe amount ot such leakage could not be regulated Without provision for relative adjustment ot the stop and valve. Therefore, the stop, as here shown, is prefen ably arranged at one end 'of a rod 46, Which Ahas a threadedengagement, ate-7, Witha stationary member 48, and has at its end oppo 7 site lthe stop a lnurledheadvl iior con# venienee in turning-it to adjust the stop.

l/hile l have entitled this invention,V

record controlled musical instruments, and have-illustrated an embodiment thereof in which the pedals are connected to the casing ol thel instrument and the player mechanism is arranged in said casing', it W-illfbe apparent that it is equally applicable to that type of player mechanisms Which are mounted in a cabinet or theiike which is movable relatively to the instrument to act upon the latter. In short, the invention relates par# ticularly to certain parts of player mechanisms and comprehends Withinits scope the improvements made therein, Whether said parts are actually arranged AWithin theconfines oi' the case of the musical .instrument or in a case or cabinet, or container or support ont any appropriate hind outside the musical instrument itself. l Y

Vhat Ibelieve to be new anddesire tot secure by Letters Patent, isz- Y l. A record cont-rolled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing an unrestrict- `Within said passage, a reservoir,

` voir and Wind Y Y V*1,660,546

ed passage for Wind, means for. producing Wind tension Within said passage, a reservoir,

the reservoir and Wind passage having Vports therebetween, and. control valves for said ports, respectively, one of saidvalves being operative to open its port Whenever the -ten^-' vsion inthe Wind passage tends to become less than the tension in the reservoir andthe f other of said valves beingl operative to restrict Without closing the passage throughl its port Whenever the tension is substantially greater in the Wind passage than in Athe 'reser` voir.V n l Y Y 2. A record Vcontrolled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing anV unrestricted passage for Wind, means `torV producing Wind tension VWithin said passage, va reservoir, the reservoir andY Wind passagev having ports therebetween, vand vcontrol valves forv said ports, respectively, one of said valves permitting the air to pass in one direction only and the other valve permitting the. air to pass in opposite directions and meansl for preventing the latter valve Vtrom closing entirely. l 3. A record ,controlled player mechanism for a musicalinstrument comprising, in combination, means providing an unrestricted 'passage for Wind, :means to produce Wind controlled player mechanism forja musical instrument comprising, .in com-l bination, `means lproviding a lpassage for Wind, kmeans ltor producing wind tension and operative connect-ions between theV Wind passage and reservoir, including` a control valveoperativeY to permit the air to pass in one direction only, to maintain in the Windpassage a tension which is not less than the tensioninv the reservoir, regardless of the number of `notes simultaneously sounded.

5.AA record controlled` player mechanismV for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for Wind, means for lproducing Wind tension Within said passage, a reservoir, and means to control communication between' theV reserpassage including a normally closed flap valve Whose opposite sidesvare subjected to the tensions in the Wind passage and reservoir, respectively, and operative to maintain in the Wind passage, a tension which is not-'less than the tension in thev reservoir. y

6. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrumentcomprising, in combination, meansl providing a., passage tor Wind, a pumping means having communicainaugure tion with said passage, a reservoir, the wind passage and reservoir having means through which air may lpass in opposite directions from either to the other, a pneumatically operable valve operatively related to the latter means and having its opposite sides subjected to the air pressure in the wind passage and reservoir, respectively, and controlling the flow oif air between said wind passage and reservoir and an adjustable stop for arresting the valve at any one of a plurality oi positions. y

7. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for wind, a pumping means to produce wind tension within said passage, a reservoir, the wind passage and reservoir having means through which air may pass in either di- L rection from one to the other, and a pneumatically operable valve operative to control the wind pressure in said passage and restrained against completely closing the communication between the wind passage and reservoir.

8. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for wind, a pumping means having communication with said passage, a reservoir, means through which air may pass in either direction between the wind passage and reser-l voir, and a. pneumatically operable valve: the parts so correlated that the valve will restrict the flow of air in one direction through the last vmentioned means, without at any time completely7 cutting oit the communication between the reservoir and wind passage. i

'9. A record controlled player mechanism 'for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for Wind, a pumping means to produce 'wind Vtension within said passage, a reservoir, the wind passage and reservoir having means through which air may pass in either direction from one to the other, a pneumatically 'operable valve operative to control the wind pressure in said passage and a stop so correlated Vwith the valve vthat it will prevent the complete closure of the valve.

10. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for wind, a pumping means to produce wind tension within said passage, a reservoir, the wind passage and reservoir having means through which air may pass in either direction `from one to the other, a pneumatically operable valve operative to control the wind -pressure in said passage and an adjustable stop 'so correlated with the-valve that it will prevent the complete closure of the valve.

11. A record controlled player mechanism for amusica-l instrument comprising'in combination, means providing ar `passage for wind, pumping means to produce wind tension within said passage, reservoir, the wind passage and reservoir having means through which the air may pass in either direction from one to the other, and a pneumatic operatively related to the last mentir ied means and carrying a valvular member oi' soit material and means preventing the valvular member from entirely shutting oil" the passage of air.

l2. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage or Wind, pumping means to produce wind tension within said passage, a reservoir, the wind passageand reservoir having means through which the air may pass in either direction from one to the other, a pneumatic operatively related to the last mentioned means and provided with a valvular member of sott material, and a stop to engage vsaid valvular member to prevent the complete closure of said last mentioned means.

18. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for wind, pumping means to produce wind tension within said passage, a reservoir, the reservoir Vand wind 'passage having means through which the air may pass in either direction from one to the other, a pneumatic operatively related to the last mentioned means and provided with a valvular member of soft material, and a stop having a surface of soft material to engage said valvular member and operative to prevent the complete closure of said last mentioned means.

14C. A record controlledplayer mechanism fora musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for wind, means for producing in saidpassage a flow of air of varia-ble tension, a reservoir, the wind passage including a member having a -much smaller capacity than that of the reservoir, and means for controlling co1nmunieation between said member and the reservoir, including a port and a pneumatically controlled valve operatively related to the port to restrict withoutentirely closing l the port when there is a strong increase of the tension in said member and to open the port and permit flushing of said member from the reservoir when the tension is reduced.

15. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, means providing a passage for wind, means for producing in said passage a flow of air of variable tension` a reservoir, the wind passage including amember having a much smaller capacity than that of the reservoir, and means for controlling communication between said member and the reservoir, including a port and a pneumatic operatively related to the reservoir and Yto said member to restrict without entirely closing the port-when there is a strong increase o'if'the' tension in said member and to open the port andfpermit iushing of said member duced.V Y lo.Y A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in

from thereservoir when the tension is recombination, means providing a passage forV wind, means for producing in said passage a flow of air of variable'tension, areservoir,

Y the wind passageincluding a memberliaving Y .a much smaller capacity than that of the reseivoir, and means :tor controlling communication betweenrsaid member and thereservoir, including a. port and a bellows arranged in and Vhaving an opening to the' reservoir and whose interior is open tovsaid member through said port, said bellows having a member to restrict the'port when the bellows, is collapsed and means lfor passage tends to become less than the tensionV in the reservoir and the other of said valves being operative `to restrict but not close the passage through its port when the-tension .is substantially greater in the wind chest than in the reservoir.

18. A record controlled player mechanism Vfor a -musical instrument, comprising, lin

combination, striker pneumatics, means providing a passage forpwind, pedal operated means fork 'producingv wind tension in said passage,means undercontrol of a record to control Vcommunication of said passage with' the striker pneumatics, a reservoir, means through wliich'the air may'pass in either direction between the wind passageand reservoir, and aV pneumatically operable valve correlated wit-h the last mentioned means and with said reservoir and wind passage to restrict the iiow of air in one direction through said means without at any time completely cutting oil coinmunicationbetween the reservoir and wind passage.-

19.' A record controlled player mechanism fora musical Vinstrument comprising,` in combination, striker pneumatics, means providing a passage for wind, a-pedal operated pumping means to produce wind tension with said passage, means under control fof a. record 'to control communication oit said passage with the striker pneumatics, a reservoir, the wind passage and reservoir having means through which Vair mayV pass in either direction from one tothe other, and a pneumatically operable valveoperative to lcontrolV the rvindfpressuie in said passage and restrained against completelyV closing the communication between the wind passage and reservoir. f

Q0. A record-controlled player mechanism for; a musical Vinstrument comprising, in

combination, striker pneumatics, means providing a'ppassage for wind, a pedal opery ated pumping means to produce wind tension 'within said passage, means under control ot a record to control communication of said passage with tlie'striker pneumatics, a

reservoir, means through which air may passY in either direction between the wind passage and reservoir, a pneumatically operable valve to control the wind pressure in said passage, and a stop Vso correlated ywith the valve-that complete closure of the valve will beV pre-V vented. e

2l. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, striker pneumatics, means providing a passage for wind, a pedal operated um ino' means to produce wind tensionVv within said passage, means under control of a record to control communication of said passage with the striker pneumatics, a reser-` sure of the'same.

22. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, striker pneumatics, means -providing a passage for wind, pedal operated pumping means Yto produce lwind tensionV within said passage, means under control of a 'record to control communication ot said passage with the striker pneumatics, a reservoir, means through which air may pass in either-direction between the wind passage and reservoir, a pneumatically operable valve iio for a musical instrument comprising, in combination, striker pneumatics, means providinga passage for wind, pedal operated means for producing in said passage a. iow ofair of variable tension, means under control of Ya record to control communication Vof saidV passage with the striker pneumatics, areservoir, the windpassage Vincludingl a mem-Y ber having lesser capacity than that of the reservoir, and means to control communication between said member and the reservoir i including a port and a pneumatically conil (l trolled valve operatively related to the port to restrict With-out entirely closing the port When there is a strong increase of the tension in said member and to Open the port and permit flushing ot said member from the reservoir when the torsion is reduced.

24. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising. in combination, striker pneumatics, means providing a passage for wind, pedal operated means `lor producing in said passage a flow ot air ot variable tension, means under control oit ay record to control communication of said passage with the striker pneumatics, a reservoir, the Wind passage including a member having amuch smaller capacity than that of the reservoir, and means to control communication between said member and the reservoir including a port and a pneumatic operatively related to the port to restrict without entirely closing the port when there is a strong increase of the tension in said member and to open the port and permit flushing of said member from the reservoir when the tension is reduced.

25. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument cemprisin in combination, striker pneumatics, means providing a passage for Wind, pedal operated means for producing in said passage a flow of air ot variable tension. means under control of a record to control communication ot said passage with the strilrer pneumatics, a reservoi the Wind passage including a member having less capacity than that of the reser-V voir7 and means to control communication between said member and the reservoir including a bellows arranged in and having an opening to the reservoir and Whose interior is open vto said member through said port, said bellows having a valvular member to rest-riet the port When the bellows is collapsed, and a stop having a threaded adjusta ing means for controlling the degree of restriction.

25. A record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument comprising, in combination. striker pneumatics, means providing a passage Jfor Wind, pedal operated means for producing in said passage a flow ot air ot variable tension, means under control of a record to control communication ot said passage With the striker pneumatics, a reservoir, the Wind passage including a member having a less capacit;Y than that of the reservoir, and means to cont-rol communication bet-Ween said member and the reservoir including a bellows arranged in and having an opening to the reservoir and Whose interrior is open to said member through said port, said bellows having a valvular member ot sott material to restrict the port When the bellows is collapsed and a st-op having a threaded adjusting means Jfor controlling the degree of restriction.

27. record controlled player mechanism for a musical instrument. comprising, in combination. striker pneumatics, means providing a passage for Wind, `vedal operated means for producing in said passage a tlovv of air of variable tension, means under control of a record to control communication of said passage with the striker pneumatics, a reservoir, the Wind passage including a member having less capacity than that or" the reservoir, and means to control communication between said member and the. reservoir including a bellows arranged in and having an opening to the reservoir and Whose interior is open to said member through said port, said bellows having a valvular member of sott ma* terial and a stop to engage said valvular member, to assure the incomplete closure of the port.

In testimony whereof I attix my signature.

TOLBERT F. CHEEK. 

